NIPT stands for noninvasive prenatal testing, which is a blood test that screens a pregnancy for a small number of specific chromosomal conditions. You may also hear it called cell-free DNA screening. During pregnancy, tiny fragments of DNA from the placenta circulate in your bloodstream. A lab analyzes those fragments in a sample of your…
Eating well during pregnancy gives your baby the building blocks for healthy growth. It can also leave you with a lot of questions. Some foods carry a small risk of bacteria or too much mercury, while others are packed with the nutrients you and your baby need most. The good news is that the rules…
Anxiety and depression during pregnancy are among the most common complications of the perinatal period. Research estimates that approximately one in seven women experience a perinatal mood disorder during pregnancy or in the first year after giving birth. Despite how common these conditions are, they often go unrecognized and untreated. Many women assume that feeling…
Noninvasive prenatal testing, commonly called NIPT, is a screening blood test performed during pregnancy that analyzes small fragments of DNA circulating in a pregnant person’s blood. This cell-free DNA comes from the placenta and reflects the genetic makeup of the developing baby. NIPT is used to estimate the risk that a fetus may have certain…
A high-risk pregnancy is one that carries a higher chance of complications for the parent, the baby, or both. The term is used in obstetric care to guide decisions about monitoring, testing, and specialist involvement. It does not mean that something has gone wrong, and it does not mean a healthy outcome is unlikely. Most…
In recent years, more women are choosing to start or expand their families later in life. Whether it’s due to career goals, personal priorities, or simply the right timing, many women today begin planning pregnancy in their mid-30s or beyond. While age does influence fertility, it’s important to understand that having a healthy pregnancy after…
Bringing a child into the world is an exciting decision that deserves thoughtful preparation. While much of pregnancy care focuses on what happens after conception, some of the most important health decisions are made before you ever see a positive test. That’s where preconception counseling comes in. Preconception counseling is about more than just checking…
Morning sickness is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. For many women, pregnancy-related nausea can strike at any time of day and range from mild queasiness to persistent, disruptive vomiting. While it’s considered a normal part of early pregnancy, that doesn’t make it easy. At Bloom OB/GYN, we understand how frustrating and exhausting…
Morning sickness – as it’s often called – can be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. For many, nausea often starts around the sixth week and peaks around the eighth to twelfth week. Fortunately, most women experience an improvement in the second trimester, but some will have nausea throughout their pregnancy. The exact cause…
Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) What is it? The Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) screens for certain conditions caused by an abnormal number of chromosomes in a developing pregnancy. It also commonly known as a cell-free DNA (cfDNA) prenatal screen. What is the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test? Screening tests are used to…
On January 19, 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued revised advice regarding fish consumption for pregnant women or women who may become pregnant, as well as breastfeeding mothers and parents of young children. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has preliminarily reviewed the revised…
November is Prematurity Awareness Month when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on premature birth. It kicks off with the release of the Premature Birth Report Card and November 17th marks World Prematurity Day. Premature birth is defined as delivery before 37 weeks estimated gestational age and is a very serious health problem. Worldwide, 15…